Journal of Confessional Bibliology — Scripture Alone, Preserved by Providence

First edition; supplied EPUB

Has the Bible Been Kept Pure?

The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Providential Preservation of Scripture

Garnet Howard Milne · 2017

Independently published, 2017.

MinisterialComplete Library RecordCatalog Record Only
Editorial research score8.7out of 10Color denotes textual methodology, not score.

Overview

Milne argues from primary Reformation and post-Reformation sources that Westminster Confession 1.8 teaches providential preservation of the complete wording of Scripture in accessible Hebrew and Greek copies, not merely preservation of doctrine or a recoverable text hidden across the manuscript tradition. Extended chapters examine Calvin, Cartwright, Whitaker, Jewel, the Westminster divines, John Goodwin, and James Ussher before contrasting their epistemology with Warfield and modern textual criticism.

The book's principal strength is its large archive of primary evidence, much of it drawn from early printed sources and Latin works. Its thesis is argued coherently and transparently, though some historical actors are pressed toward a more uniform word-for-word position than their acknowledgment of unresolved variants always permits.

Scripture Passage Coverage

1 Peter 1:23–25

Substantial treatment · preservation chapters

Defends the reading

Used for the abiding nature of the inspired Word.

2 Peter 1:19–21

Substantial treatment · epistemology chapter

Defends the reading

Supports divine origin and certainty of the prophetic Word.

2 Timothy 3:16

Substantial treatment · throughout

Defends the reading

Foundational to the book's account of verbal inspiration.

Acts 7:14

Brief treatment · Ussher chapter

Qualified or mixed conclusion

Examines Ussher's reconciliation of seventy and seventy-five persons with Genesis 46.

Genesis 46:27

Brief treatment · Ussher chapter

Qualified or mixed conclusion

Paired with Acts 7:14 in a historical example of resolving apparent textual discrepancy.

Isaiah 59:21

Substantial treatment · preservation chapters

Defends the reading

Used in the historical doctrine of words remaining with the covenant people.

John 10:35

Substantial treatment · epistemology chapter

Defends the reading

Supports the inviolability of Scripture.

John 17:17

Substantial treatment · epistemology chapter

Defends the reading

Supports Scripture as the true external principle of knowledge.

Matthew 5:18

Substantial treatment · Westminster discussion

Defends the reading

Treats Westminster's proof text as supporting preservation of the complete textual form.

Matthew 24:35

Substantial treatment · doctrinal chapters

Defends the reading

Used as a promise of the endurance of Christ's words.

Psalms 12:6–7

Substantial treatment · preservation chapters

Defends the reading

Discussed as a preservation text.

Catalog ID: CBL-024260 · Rights: Purchase or borrowing link · Verification: Verified